On June 24, the “YUAN HAI KOU,” the world’s largest Solar & LNG dual-fuel vehicle carrier operated by COSCO SHIPPING, completed its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean, docking at the Port of Piraeus with a cargo of 4,000 Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs).
The vessel departed from Guangzhou and Xiamen ports in late May and arrived at Greece’s key Ro-Ro terminal after a month-long journey across the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Its arrival marks a significant step in the integration of green shipping technologies into global auto logistics chains.
An official welcoming ceremony at the port drew over 200 attendees. Among them were Mr. FANG Qiu, Chinese Ambassador to Greece; Mr. Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy of Greece; Ms. Stavroula Antonakou, Deputy Governor of the Attica Region; Mr. SU Xudong, CEO of the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA); Mr. ZHANG Wei, Chairman of COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers; and Mr. Antonis Venieris, President of the International Maritime Union in Greece.
The event blended tradition and innovation with a light show and cultural performances, symbolically connecting ancient trade routes with modern green maritime corridors.
“YUAN HAI KOU” represents a scalable and operationally viable model for reducing carbon emissions in international shipping. Its deployment aligns with global maritime decarbonization goals and supports Piraeus Port’s ambition to evolve into a sustainable logistics hub for China-Europe trade flows.
Measuring 199.9 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 68,252 and a displacement of 39,069 tons, the vessel was built to accommodate large and mixed-configuration rolling cargo. It features 12 decks, four of which are adjustable, enabling the flexible transport of commercial trucks, engineering vehicles, buses, and MAFI cargo. The dual-fuel propulsion system allows it to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and solar power, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions during long-distance voyages.
The vessel is operated by Guangzhou Yuanhai Auto Carrier, a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Specialized, and forms part of China’s broader push to upgrade its shipping infrastructure with low-emission technologies. This effort is driven by both market demand for environmentally responsible logistics and compliance with tightening international regulations, such as IMO’s decarbonization mandates.
With NEV exports from China surging, the role of specialized vehicle carriers like “YUAN HAI KOU” is becoming more prominent. The ability to move thousands of electric vehicles in a single voyage, while using low-emission propulsion, provides automakers with a more sustainable export route and helps maritime operators future-proof their fleets.
The choice of Piraeus as the first Mediterranean call highlights the port’s strategic relevance. Since its acquisition by COSCO SHIPPING, Piraeus has become one of the busiest container and Ro-Ro ports in Europe, acting as a vital transshipment and logistics node between Asia and Europe.
The vessel’s debut at Piraeus underscores China’s commitment to embedding environmental responsibility into its Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects. It also sends a clear message to global shipping stakeholders: the green transition is not a distant goal—it’s happening now, one voyage at a time.
